BET YOU WISH YOU HADN'T DONE THAT!

Mastering the fine art of self-editing and the ability to exercise a healthy dose of self-restraint at all times are important assets to have in life. 

Case in point in today’s “Bet You Wish You Hadn’t Done That” segment is the story of Ms. Parham, who represented herself in a child custody case (this being her first mistake). Being extremely displeased with the court’s ruling, Ms. Parham “expressed” herself by crumpling up the court’s custody order in front of the judge. 

The court’s response was to summarily hold Ms. Parham in criminal contempt of court. The contempt finding was upheld by the Richmond City Circuit Court and affirmed by the Virginia Court of Appeals in Parham v. Commonwealth, Va. Ct. of App., Record No. 1528-11-2 (July 31, 2012). 

The moral of this story is that it is not generally a good idea to vent your frustrations or anger in the presence of the judge. If proper venting necessities some form of destruction of the court’s order, then the better practice may be to hold off until you get back to your vehicle.

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